The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-12-02
FACTS CONCERNING CANCER.
A Disease More Prevalent Among tho Rich
Than the Poor-No Radical euro.


Than the Poor-No Radical euro.
This disease appears 70 be largely on the
increase From the report OF the registrar
general we learn there were 5000 deaths
In England from this cause during the ten
years from 1860 TO 1869, an annual increase
Of 24S From 1870 TO 1872 the annual in
crease was 1927. Though we have no sta
tistics at hand, medical practitioners are
generally inclined to admit that this dis
ease Is alarmingly ON the increase in the
United States.
IL seems 10 be more prevalent In the
heated and intense life OF cities than In
the country; among the rich and we'll TO do
than among the poor According 10 French
authority, the proportion Of cancer In
France among the wealthy classes IS about
LOG in 900; among the poorer classes -
in ,OO0-lO per cent. OF the former and
per cent Of the latter IL seems 10 be
morbid growth upon civilization. as it is
rarely found among savage men. Like the
scale and other fruit pests that prey upon
our orchards and vineyards, the shadow Of
this baleful parasitic growth hoyers around
the homes of ease and luxury and high liv-
ing, rather than pioneer cabins, the camps
fishermen Observation shows that Il is
fond OF localities. IL is said 10 be wholly
unknown in the Farce Islands. In Ice
land in one year there were only thirty
seven cases out Of 30, 900 inhabitants.
Considering the geographical extent Of
England IL is more prevalent, malignant
and fatal there than elsewhere, and
among English speaking people than any
other race. IL is 10 be found more largely
among women than men and more among
those who have been mothers 10 ia most
likely 10 appear between the ages OF %
and 60 II stands almost alone rs n dis
ease that increases with our excited life
and prosperity, and while health laws and
improved sanitation are raising the
standard OF health this bideous and
loathsOme malady rests as n blot upon our
vital statistics.
AS far as known cancer does not arise
from any micro organisms or germs and
consequently is not infections or con-
tagious. 1t cannot be caught nor given.
But il il be true that cancerous persons
do not propagate the disease II Ia almost
certain they beget consumptive chill
dren, and consumption is always a re-
suit Of debility, want Of general health,
whatever may be the immediate cause
Sull cancer often attacks persons In the
most vigorous health, and consequently Is
hard to classify in terms Of causatiOn.
1t is sad commentary on our boosted
healing art, with its rich heritage Of more
than thousand years, that this disease is
still classed among the incurables Many
OF our most learned and widely expert
enced physicians confess that they have
no faith In any known remedy, and be-
lieve that nll that can be done is TO merci-
fully let the wretched sufferer as softly
into the grave as possible. There are
few who still think that electricity may
furnish some alienation, but rs n cuTa-
tive agent it has but few followers II
seems TO be melancholy concurrence
among medical men that no confidence
can be placed in medication, and that as
long as the etiology Of the disease is
wrapped in mystery, it Is waste Of time 10
discuss its therapeutics. The knife ia now
about the only accepted remedy with the
profession throughout the world. but even
that il is admitted can only avail in the
incipiency Of the disease which is liable
TO break out again. II is always local
ulSttoc ~ 'hN othiii but SPit"uo ~ lhN"h9
OF blood vessels and lymphatics, first 10
the nearest gland, then more distant, ami
when this occurs it is no longer local but
constitutional aud Che surgeon is power
less. At the start cancer seems closely
allied With the tumor family, aud has usu-
ally become constitutional before 1t I'M
masks itself Once in the blood It is hope
lcssly beyond all surgical eradication
Halls Journal of Health